My main interest is in making sure these things are either in hand when going to Costa Rica or easily (I realize that's relative) obtainable via some FedExing or a relative/friend throwing something in the mail for you. I obviously want to avoid returning to the States for a bizarre $5 apostille issue.

I think youre asking for a massive headache trying to get a working visa, especially doing it from the states before you have a job. My advice to you is stick with the visa runs, they are a great way to see new places and have experiences, and much more realistic then trying to get a visa.

I think youre asking for a massive headache trying to get a working visa, especially doing it from the states before you have a job. My advice to you is stick with the visa runs, they are a great way to see new places and have experiences, and much more realistic then trying to get a visa.

Thanks for your input.

I did just find a work around on getting paperwork done in the States so the "stray" piece of paperwork can probably be done with the help of family there. No doubt, traveling for the sake of traveling appeals to some but not for everyone. I think you also have to factor in the expenses of travel then as part of what you're earning.

I've never heard of any teachers (or expats) down here having a working visa or legal papers.

Every single other teacher (and a few other people I've met who work in other jobs - editor, tour guide etc.) do border runs every 3 months.

The cost of traveling to Nicaragua for a few days:

Chicken bus round trip: $6 (unless you absolutely have to take the Tica Bus for $40 round trip)
3 nights accommodation in a hostel: $30
Meals for the 3 days in Nicaragua: $40 tops
Stamps etc. at immigration:$14

Total 3-4 day cost to renew your visa: $90

So if the expense of a border run is a concern for you then you may want to reconsider Costa Rica, it's quite expensive to live here compared to what you earn. Something to keep in mind.

Despite the fact that people have not ever heard of teachers getting work VISAs, it does happen.

For example, a recent post by IH Costa Rica/Instituto Britanico can be found on TEFL.com and states:
Candidates need to bring with them copies of their birth certificate and a police report, both certified by the Foreign Ministry and by the Costa Rican Consulate in their country of birth. Any costs involved should be covered by the applicant.

Having personally applied for a VISA through the birth of a child I can tell you that the birth cert has to have been issued in the past 6 months (a copy, obviously), certified by the States Attorney then authenticated by the Costa Rica embassy of your State's jurisdiction (or D.C. for all states) and then authenticated again at the "Yellow House" here in Costa Rica. The same goes for the FBI background check. You will have to get your prints taken at the "Archivo Policial" (sp?) in San Jose for your Interpol check. Costs can run into the several hundreds for sure.

I am pretty sure you school has to sponsor you in some way/shape or form so if they are not willing to participate in the process with you, you are SOL (or OTL as they say in Korea).

75 Rustico is correct. The process is a pain and expensive. I thought of getting a resident visa since my Mom is Costa Rican and I'm older than 25 so I don't get automatic citizenship. Had to get my birth certificate certified by my State's Attorney General then needed to get it translated by the CR Consulate in DC. Also needed to get my finger prints taken at a police station. I ended not going through with it since I came back to the U.S. I don't know what would have happened it I submitted my paper work since CR lost my Mom's citizenship papers after she filed everything. Stick with the border runs or tourist visa extensions. It's very difficult to get a worker visa. Companies would rather pay you under the table because it's cheaper. They don't want to have to pay you the legal yearly bonus (which is an extra month's pay at the end of the year) and overtime. Companies would rather have you work illegally and 65 hours a week (in my case), violating CR's overtime laws of overtime after 45 hrs./week.

I've never heard of any teachers (or expats) down here having a working visa or legal papers.

Every single other teacher (and a few other people I've met who work in other jobs - editor, tour guide etc.) do border runs every 3 months.

The cost of traveling to Nicaragua for a few days:

Chicken bus round trip: $6 (unless you absolutely have to take the Tica Bus for $40 round trip)
3 nights accommodation in a hostel: $30
Meals for the 3 days in Nicaragua: $40 tops
Stamps etc. at immigration:$14

Total 3-4 day cost to renew your visa: $90

So if the expense of a border run is a concern for you then you may want to reconsider Costa Rica, it's quite expensive to live here compared to what you earn. Something to keep in mind.

Is it possible to do a border run only on the weekend? I would like to move to Costa Rica but cannot be away from the internet for three days.

You need to be out of the country 72 hours for a border run, so you're going to have to take a day off from work. A lot of schools work a border-run day into contract every 3 months because they know teachers need to renew their visas.
True, a lot of hostels have wifi, and some even have a computer or two you can use. There are also lots of internet cafes. I would not bring your lap top with you on a border run. You're asking for it to get stolen. Too risky. Just something else to worry about. I've had too many friends lose laptops and cameras on trips. Stick to the internet cafes and even you want to use skype, bring a head set with you.

I think CR upgraded to 3G last year and is trying to mainstream everyone on to it. I would call the ICE to double check or check the Web site. I'm not sure about data plans though for internet browsing. I know I tried getting a phone card for my unlocked 2G in early 2010 and I couldn't get one because all new phone lines were 3G as they were trying to phase out 2G completely. I believe the government also deregulated the phone industry, so there will be international competition eventually.

I never had to get internet when I lived in CR since I moved into an apartment with another person who was already living there. We rented from a family that owned the whole house and had two apartments above the house, so the internet was communal. A lot of apartments complexes have internet already set up and a lot of single apartments that are rented out are often part of someone's house or the second floor of a house with an exterior entrance, in my case.

I've read on the forum that getting internet installed in your house can be a lengthy hassle. I would recommend an apartment that has internet included to avoid the hassle. Here is the ICE page on internet services: http://portal.grupoice.com/wps/wcm/connect/web+content/Esp/CatTelecom/Residencial/Acelera/
Just to warn you, internet speeds are much slower in CR for the same cost as in the U.S. A comparable standard speed in the U.S. may cost you close to $100/month in CR. I lived in San Pedro, outside of San Jose, and the internet I had was pretty reliable. I could stream movies, talk on skype, etc.

This isn't strictly true. There actually nothing in the law that says you need to stay out of the country for 72 hours but there is a mention of this relating to bringing goods back from the destination so it is a customs requirement rather than an immigration one.

The problem lies in the way laws are implemented here, or rather interpreted. If the person on the border that day thinks the 72 hour rule exists then it does (while he/she is on shift).

It is certainly possible to do border runs in much less time, I did one in less than 24 hours once, and I have heard of people just having lunch on the other side and coming back.

I have heard mention of it possibly causing problems later on if you need to apply for residency but I can't vouch for this.